Sophie Zarone, 81, of Shenango Township passed away peacefully at 10 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2015, in Jameson Hospital after a brief illness. She was born June 10, 1933, in New Castle to the late Walter and Julia Bistyga Jendrysik. She graduated from Union High School in 1951 and later from the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing. Sophie took great pride in working as a nurse for many years at St. Francis Hospital. She enjoyed providing comfort to patients and doing her job to the best of her ability. But Sophie's passion was being a mother and grandmother. She was unfailingly kind, patient, and calm with her children and grandchildren. She was an exceptional listener, and was always attentive and interested in what others had to say. She was focused on helping those around her, and rarely considered her own needs. Sophie also enjoyed playing cards with friends from Willowhurst Circle. For almost 50 years, she and her friends would take turns hosting card games that went late into the night and involved conversation, laughter and good food. She is survived by her children, Richard Zarone and his wife, Christine, of New Castle, Susan Gehm and her husband, Jeff, of New Castle, Arthur Zarone Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, of Calabash, N.C., and Phillip Zarone and his wife, Julia, of Pittsburgh; her grandchildren, Delaney Zarone, Amanda Silvester and Julie Gehm, Jordan and Jacob Zarone, and Madison Zarone; and her sister, Helen McGonigle of Conneaut Lake. Sophie was preceded in death by her son, David Zarone, and her former husband, Arthur Zarone. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 111 West Falls St. A blessing service will begin at 6 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. James Downs officiating. Burial will be in Madonna Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the charity of the donor's choice.